Christine Assange, mother of WikiLeaks co-founder, Julian Assange, on Friday appealed to British authorities to be “patient, gentle and kind’’ to her son.
British police said on Thursday that Assange was arrested based on warrant for extradition to the United States where he is wanted for criminal charges of leaking classified documents in 2010.
US actress, Pamela Anderson, who befriended Assange during visits to him at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, launched a change.org petition shortly after the 47-year-old’s arrest.
Mrs Assange said she supports the petition because of her son’s long-term health concerns after the Australian spent seven years inside the embassy.
She tweeted: “A mother’s plea to police, prison officers, court staff re my son Julian.’’
She said her son had been “detained without charge’’ for eight years; deprived of fresh air, sunlight and exercise for six years; and spent three years “sick in pain and denied proper medical, dental care.’’
“Please be patient, gentle and kind to him,’’ she added.
The petition has now been signed by 36,000 people urging the Australian government to help free Assange “before it’s too late.’’
